Dubai Disneyland rumors

[Ezra]

There's been a Dubai Disneyland rumor going around for quite a while. It's no secret that Dubai has been shopping for a theme park operator and reffering to it by saying they want to build "A Disneyland".

Well, Busch Gardens / Sea World just signed a deal for a park in Dubai, according to The Orlando Sentinel:

Let's Do Dubai (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/02/whale-of-announ.html)

Busch Entertainment will build in Dubai (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/02/busch-enterta-1.html)

I wonder if this means that Dubai is through shopping for a park now?

[scorchy96]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disneyland opened up in Dubai - with all the development going on there right now, there are tons of opportunities for the company. I'm already considering applying for work in Dubai after I've graduated from college, so if Disney were to open up there I'd be thrilled :D

[kimballw]

Dubia is a strange place. I was there in '99 for a lay-over. The group I was with piled into 2 cabs to go to the "mall". I was in the lead taxi. We were shooting down an 8 lane highway, and we were the only ones on it. Our driver missed the turn. When he realized it (after the back cab took the turn), he came to a screaching halt, put it into reverse, backed up till he got to the exit, and then put it in gear to take the ramp. He didn't back up on the shoulder, he backed up in the lane!!! Ya, everyone in the car was from LA, and we were loosing it!

Thankfully, the huge highway was totally empty.

[CostaFreak]

If you ask me, Dubai's gonna become a big tourist area within the next 10 years, plus with the Busch resort going there and the huge Dubailand Resort (which is supposed to be 3x bigger than WDW), you get the point.

[kimballw]

It also helps that Dubai is interested in tourism, unlike Saudi Arabia

[sfgam2006]

Do you think any of the chaos in Iran/Iraq/Afganistan/Israel/Pretty much all countries in the middle east besides Dubai and Saudi Arabia will slow down any international attendence. I mean, there is so much in this place, will it be TOO thinned out.

- Zach

[scorchy96]

Do you think any of the chaos in Iran/Iraq/Afganistan/Israel/Pretty much all countries in the middle east besides Dubai and Saudi Arabia will slow down any international attendence. I mean, there is so much in this place, will it be TOO thinned out.

- Zach

It could stop people from North America going, but if you think about the larger picture it may not make a huge difference. There are plenty of wealthy families who would probably love to be so close to luxury resorts, shopping, and attractions and prefer to stay within the region rather than, for example, fly to England or France for the same reasons.

[BrizMarc]

Dreamworks animation have confirmed they will be making a park there. Google it for any info